/A 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


:<°  «'x 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


■  50 


B28 


1^  l}^ 

1^       1^ 


''iM 

22 
ZO 

18 


U    IIIIII.6 


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'm 


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fliotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIM  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notss/Notes  techniques  et  bibllographiques 


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D 


D 


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Leti 


D 


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10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

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L'exemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  h  la 
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first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grfsnd  soin,  compte  tenu  de  ia  condition  et 
de  la  nettet*  de  i'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sent  filmte  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  ia 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
dimpreesion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sent  filmte  en  commengant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaftra  sur  ia 
dernidre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  seion  le 
cas:  le  symbols  —►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


l\/laps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  ir;  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmfo  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  ii  est  film*  A  partir 
de  i'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

M 


PF 


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'♦'■'v.' 


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^/V^/yjax^^.       lil-SS^chuS^-ftS.    Gf-!tn</ 


REPORT 


J^6  ct 


T' 


ON    TUB 


MASONIC  DIEFICTJLTIES 


IN 


CANADA, 


ADOPTED   BY   THK 


G 


RAND   LODGE  OF  MASSACHUSETTS, 


\ 


SEPTEN5BER  10,  1856. 


,,/^, 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  AT  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  FREEMASONS'  MAGAZINE. 
HUGH     H.     TUTTLE,     PKINTEB, 
21  School  Street. 

1856. 


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REPORT. 


I 

V 


It  18  doubtless  known  to  the  Fraternity  generally,  that  there  has  been 
lor  some  time  more  or  less  dissatisfaction  among  our  Brethren  in  Can- 
ada,  arismg  out  of  their  peculiar  connexion  with  the  Grand  Lodges  of 
Great  Bntain  and  Ireland.  These  difficulties  would  perhaps  seem  at 
hrst  sight  entnely  uuinteresting  to  the  Fraternity  in  the  United  States: 
but  the  slightest  reflection  m-^.nifests  so  clearly  the  peculiarly  sympa- 
ihetic  character  and  essence  of  our  Order,  that  a  blow  struck  at  one 
extrernity  of  the  Masonic  world,  or  a  difficulty  existing  anywhere  with- 
m  Its  limits,  ,s  seen  to  be  felt  everywhere,  and,  like  a  stroke  of  elec 
ricity,  vibrates  almost  at  once  along  the  various  lines  of  coramunica- 
tion,   even  to  the  uimost  bounds  of  our  Masonic  horizon. 

Any  irregularity,  therefore,  either  in  the  government,  principles  or 
practicesof  the  Craft;  anything  in  fact  which  even  seems  to  conflict 
with  our  Ancient  Landmarks,"  affects  not  alone  the  place  of  its  or- 
igui  but  the  whole  Fraternity,  the  world  over.  Whatever  takes  place 
then  among  our  Canadian  Brethren  is  of  course  interesting  to  us  in 
proportion  to  its  vicinity;  since  any  irregularity  permitted  either  on 
their  side  of  the  line  or  ours,  is  sure  sooner  or  later  to  cross  the  bound- 
ary ;  and  we  shall  find  in  common  with  them,  that  it  is  much  easier  to 
prevent  such  evil  than  to  cure  it. 

That  portion  of  the  Fraternity  in  Canada  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England  is  governed  by  three  Provincial  Grand  Lodges,  viz.  1.  Mon- 
treal and  William  Henry;  2.  Quebec  and  Three  Rivers,  and  3.  that 
of  the  Upper  Province.  The  Provincial  Grand  Masters  are  appointed 
by  the  Grand  Master  of  England,  and  retain  the  English  practice  of 
appointing  their  Deputies,  Grand  Wardens,  and  other  Officers  to  a  cer 
tain  extent. 

The  dues  paid  by  each  Lotlge  to  the   Mother  Grand  Lodge  are  for 
each  Charter  or  Warrant  of  Constitution  $25,  for  each  Diploma  Si  50 
also  a  small  fee  for  registering;  and  these,  so  far  as  we  know,  are  all 
which  the  G.  Lodge  of  England  receives  from  the  Canadian  Lodges. 


.V 


*>  O  9 

^    f-J  kJ 


63 


O 


-<::; 


The  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  tins  only  two  or  three  Lodges  under 
her  jurisdiction  in  the  Upper  Province.  She  has  however  a  number 
in  the  Lower  Province,  and  it  appears  from  the  Reports  of  her  Provin- 
cial  Grand  Master  there,  that  all  these  stand  firm  in  their  allegiance. 

The  amount  of  fees,  or  dues,  paid  to  this  Grand  Lodge,  we  have  no 
means  of  ascertaining. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland  has  about  fifteen  Lodges,  whose  foes 
are  S2.50  annually  for  each  Lodge  chartered  previous  to  1846,  and 
$5.00  annually  for  each  Lodge  chartered  since  ;  $1.50  for  each  candi- 
date; registering  fee  sixty  cents,  and  Diploma  fifty  cents.  We  allude 
to  these  matters  of  organization  and  expense  merely  from  their  hav- 
ing been  brought  forward  as  among  the  principal  causes  of  dissatisfac- 
tion :  and  their  amount  become^  therefore  a  matter  of  consequence  to 
the  argument. 

How  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodges  are  supported,  or  whence  the 
funds  are  drawn  for  their  support,  or  what  the  aggregate  expense  for 
this  purpose  may  be,  your  Committee  cannot  say. 

There  has  long  been  a  growing  dissatisfaction  at  this  state  of  things, 
and  much  discussion  has  grown  out  of  the  constantly  deepening  con- 
viction that  some  effort  must  be  made  to  introduce  a  better;  until  at 
length,  almost  the  entire  Craft  being  convinced  that  an  independent 
organization  was  essential  to  the  effective  and  proper  working  of  the 
Order,  efforts  were  made  from  time  to  time  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  to  these  causes  of  dissatisfaction,  in  the 
hope  that  in  some  way  a  remedy  might  be  applied.  It  is  not  necessary 
to  detail  the  history  of  the  various  attempts,  which  were  attended  with 
no  success  until  the  appointment  of  Bro.  R.  11.  Townend,  as  Special 
Agent  to  the  G.  Lodge  of  England,  made  at  a  meeting  of  the  Provin- 
cial Grand  Lodge  of  Canada  West,  held  at  the  Clifton  House,  Niagara, 
July  19,  1855.  And  it  is  perhaps  well  to  remark,  as  an  evidence  of 
the  spirit  then  prevailing,  that  a  motion  was  offered  which  would,  if 
carried,  have  led  to  immediate  and  open  rebellion  on  the  part  of  the 
Canadian  Craft  towards  the  Mother  Grand  liOdge  ;  this  motion,  how- 
ever, the  presiding  officer  very  properly  refused  to  put. 

Bro,  Townend's  mission  was  so  far  successful  that  he  had  got  the 
matter  regularly  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England;  and  there 
seems  every  reason  to  believe  that  all  would  have  been  satisfactorily 
adjusted  but  for  the  precipitate  action  of  a  portion  of  our  Canadian 
Brethren,  who  were  unwilling  to  "  wait  patiently,"  as  recommended 
by  Bro.  Townend.  They  accordingly  called  a  Convention  at  Hamil- 
ton, Upper  Canada,  on  the  10th  of  October  last,  which  resulted  in  the 


formation  of  a  new  body,  tledariiig  itself  indopenclen'  of  all  former  au- 
thonty  The  mission  of  Brother  Tovvnond  continued,  with  still  more 
favorable  prospects;  but  the  secession  of  iho  10th  of  October  rendered 
that  which  had  been  done,  useless.  And,  moreover,  it  appears  from  a 
passage  in  the  communication  (to  be  hereafter  alluded  to)  from  the 
new  body,  that  no  concession  from  the  Mother  Grand  Lod-e  short  of 
absolut^)  and  complete  independence  would  have  been  satisfactory  to 
the  seceding  Brethren;  that  principle  having  been  predetermined 

Under  these  circumstances  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada 
\\  est  held  a  meeting  on  the  23d  of  October,  at  which  the  new  body  was 
declared  illegal,  and  all  Masonic  intercourse  with  it,  was  by  a  unani 
mous  vote  strictly  forbidden.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge  held  on  the  26lhof  May,  1856,  a  resolution  was  passed  instruct- 
iiig  (heir  Board  of  General  Purposes  'o  communicate  to  the  various 
Grand  Lodges  with  who.n  they  were  in  communication,  the  true  posi- 
tion cf  that  Grand  Lodge,  "as  regards  the  movement  of  the  self-styled 
Grand  Lodge  of  Canada."  A  report  on  the  subject  was  accordingly 
made,  of  which  this  Grand  Lodge  has  received  a  copy,  and  from  which 
the  foregoing  account  of  the  difficulties  in  question  has  been  mainly 
urawn.  ' 

They  also  at  the  same  meeting,  approved  of  a  proposition  made,  or  to 
be  made,  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  by  Bro.  the  Rev.  Gee.  K. 
Porter,  P.  S.  G.  W.,  for  settling  the  Canadian  difficulties,  by  a  conces! 
sion  of  almost  complete  independence.  Whether  there  have  been,  or 
are  likely  to  be,  any  results  from  this  last  proposition,  your  Committee 
cannot  say. 

From  the  body  of  Brethren  above  mentioned,  who  met  at  Hamilton 
on  the  loth  of  October  last,  this  Grand  Lodge  in  common  with  the 
other  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Union  has  received  an  able  communica- 
tion, going  at  length  into  the  history  of  the  transactions  which  your 
committee  have  briefly  sketched,  detailing  their  reasons  for  the  step 
they  have  taken,  and  asking  our  recognition  and  fraternal  sympathy. 
Their  communication  states  that  after  the  various  unsuccessful  commu- 
nications to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  "finding  that  the  interests 
of  the  Craft  were  suffering  with  increased  severity  from  the  causes  of 
which  they  had  complained— feeling  deeply  the  uncourteous  neglect 
the  Petitions  and  Correspondence  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge\ad 
experienced  from  the  ofllcers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England— and 
believing  the  Provinciul  Grand  Lodge  to  be  incapable  of  obtaining  the 
concessions  which  the  position  of  the  Craft  rendered  indispensable— 


it  was  doteimiiied  to  call  a  rneoliiiy  of  iloluyatea  from  all  Canadian 
Lodges,  to  be  held  at  the  city  of  Hamilton  on  the  lOlli  of  October,  to 
consider  the  e.vpediency  of  forming  a  (Jrand  Lodge  of  Canada." 

Accordingly,  the  representatives,  as  they  say,  of  forlyone  Loilges, 
holding  under  the  Grand  Lodges  of  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland,  mot 
aa  requested,  and  after  fully  debating  all  matters  in  question,  agreed 
with  one  exception,  upon  the  formation,  and  proceeded  to  elect  the  of- 
ficers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada. 

This  Communication  is  signed  by  Wm.  M,  Wilson,  as  Grand  Mas- 
ter,  and  counteisigned  by  Thomas  Bird  Harris,  as  Grand  Secretary. 

It  will  at  once  be  seen,  IJrclhren,  that  here  is  a  case  almost  new  in 
ourMusonio  experience,  involving  principles  of 'ho  highest  import- 
ance—appealing  strongly  to  our  sympathies  as  freemen-and  requir- 
mg  that  prudence  and  caution  whereby  we  may  avoid  being  led 
through  those  sympathies  into  a  course  in(!cnsislent  with  those" well 
tried  principles,  which  have  so  long  secured  r«eace  and  tranquility 
within  the  borders  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 

The  naked  question  to  be  met  is  briefly  as  follows,  viz.  whether  it 
Js  consistent  with  the  recognized  Jaws  or  customs  of  Freemasonry  for 
any  portion  of  the  Lodges  under  a  particular  jurisdiction  to  secede 
from  the  Parent  Body,  without  its  consent,-and  to  form  of  their  own 
authority  a  new  Body,  having  an  independent  existence  and  independ- 
ent powers. 

In  discussing  this  question  we  must  define,  if  we  can,  the  principles 
which  have  always  by  common  consent,  governed  the  relations  of  the 
various  Grand  Lodges  of  this  country  with  each  other,  and  with  Forei-n 
Countries.  ° 

And  the  leading  principle  is  this  :  That  each  Grand  Lodge  in  the 
United  States  rules  and  governs  without  interference  from  any  other 
all  Lodges  within  the  Civil  Jurisdiction  of  the  State  in  which  she  is 
situated,— holding  the  territories  as  common  ground  wherein  each 
Grand  Lodge  is  free  to  charter  Lodges  at  pleasure;  until  each  Terri- 
tory  by  being  regularly  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  Slate,  acquires 
the  right  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  for  itself.  Your  Committee  are 
aware  thai  this  has  sometimes  been  done  before  admission  as  a  State  • 
but,  although  it  may  be  alleged  in  excuse  that  Territories  are  States 
m  process  of  formation,  we  still  think  the  practice  illegal,  and  not  to 
be  justified  in  any  case;  the  only  safe  rule  in  our  opinion  bein- that 
above  laid  down.  ° 

The  same  rule  holds  good  as  regards  foreign  countries ;  we  do  not 
♦hink  of  chartering  Lodges  within  their  limits,  if  there  is  a  Grand 


Lodgo  .here  nor  do  we  permit  tl.om  to  do  so  within  ours.    And  this  is 

mil  r  "  ""  r^:'  ^"'"'P'^  ^"''^  ^-"  -«'-''h  -ch  vehe. 
mamly  ot  foreigners  and  worke.l  in  a  foreij^n  language. 

Wi.h  regard  to  ti.e  Lodges  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  the  caseia 
exacty  analogous  to  ours.  Neither  of  these  Grand  Lodges  charters 
Lodges  w„h.n  the  bounds  of  the  others,  though  all  do  so  in  the  Colo- 
lues-just  as  we  do  ui  the  Territories. 

As  to  the  Continental  Grand  Lodges,  they  are  governed  in  many 

umie.stand.  There  are  for  instance,  in  France,  the  Grand  Lodge 
o  France,  and  the  Supreme  Council  ;  both  insisting  upon  equal 
au.hor.ty,  and  not  at  all,  certainly,  to  the  furtheranc:  of  harmony. 

anomlT'  '^'^^^  ^'-"'^  ^-'g^«  i"  Berlin;  and  perhaps,  other,  to  us, 
anomalous  arrangements,  ol.ewhere.  Now  we  do  not  say  that  these 
Ihmgs  may  not  be  very  proper  for  them,  but,  that  with  our  principles 
ofMasonrc  junsprudonce,  they  would  not  be  proper  for  us :  and  that 
no  precedent  ar.smg  from  their  peculiar  organizations  would  be  safe 
lor  us  to  loilow, 

forl'r'  v7  ''"'''  "^'°"  ''  ^''""Sm-ze,  as  a  Grand  Lodge,  a  bo,?y 
formed  on  different  principles  from  our  own,  which  has  for  certain  rea- 
sons, good  or  bad,  set  up  a  pretension  which  amounts  to  this,  viz.  that 
whenever  any  portion  of  the  C.aft  under  any  jurisdiction  finds  it  in- 
converuent  to  remain  there  ;-or  wh  -never  it  imagiaes  itself  alieved 
or  slighted  by  the  Parent  Body,  i,  is  right  and  proper  to  resort"  rev 
oution-to  close  the  doors  upon  all  explanation  or  concession,  and 
B  ricly  by  IS  own  authority  to  constitute  and  maintain  a  new  aid  in- 
dependent  Jurisdiction,  totally  disconnected  from  all  former  duties  or 
assoeiationp. 

Such  has  been  the  course  of  the  Brethren  seeking  to  be  acknow- 
edged  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada :  and  in  justification  of  thTs 
course  they  allege  substantially  the  following  reasons,  viz  :- 

1st.  The  want  of  harmony  in  action  and  in  working  resulting  from 
Lodges  hailing  from  different  countries,  perpetuating  local  and  national 
leelings,  prejudices,  and  conflicting  interests,  &c. 

2d.  That  Lodges  in  the  Provinces  are  required  to  contribute  to  the 

funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Great  Britain  In  addition  to  supp    tit 

hree  Provincial  Grand  Lodges.    The  far  greater  number  of  appHcan": 

for  chanty  being  Brethren  emigrating  from  Great  Britain,  while  few 

or  none  requiring  aid,  go  from  the  Provinces  to  the  Mother  Country 


8 


3il.  The  Grand 
nity  in  Canada  by 
Masonic 


Lodges  of  Great  Biitain  thus  iloubly  tax  the  Fraler- 


traiisfe 


tu  their  Hhort 


iber 


for 


aro  receiving 


3m  a  pottion 


lerriii_ 
i,  at  the  name  time 
of  the  means  of  affording  it. 

4th.  The  inconvenience  arising  from  the  lengthened  periods  that 
must  ensue  in  consequence  of  the  distance  between  tliem  and  i  real 
Britain,  before  they  can  receive  replies  to  their  communications,  sane- 
tion  to  their  proceedings,  warrants,  certificates  of  membership,  &c., 
sometimes  to  the  great  detriment  of  the  Craft,  and  of  individual  Breth- 
ren ;  and  lastly, 

5th.  The  appointment  of  their  Prov.  Grand  Masters  by  the  Grand 
Master  of  England,  who  at  a  distance  of  near  4000  miles  may  reasona- 
bly be  expected  to  be  practically  ignorant  of  their  peculiar  wants  : — 
and  inasmuch  as  the  Provincial  Grand  Officers  are  appointoil  by  the 
Provincial  Grand  Masters,  their  propriety  necessarily  depends  upon 
the  Grand  Master,  who  is  selected  entirely  without  reference  to  the 
opinions  of  the  Brethren  in  the  Prnvinccs.  And  "the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodges  thus  constituted  aro  placed  in  tlie  equivocal  posilion  of 
being  irresponsible  to,  and  independent  of,  the  Cralt  in  Canada,"  &c. 
Our  Brethren,  after  stating  that  their  Grand  Lodge  has  been  regu- 
larly constituted,  &c.,  go  on  to  ground  an  argument  for  its  necessity 
from  the  number  of  Lodges  engaged  in  foiming  it,  which  they  say 
was  fortyone,  hailing  from  three  difTeront  jurisdictions,  "while  from 
the  time  when  the  four  Lodges  of  London  renounced  their  allegiance 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  and  formed  themselves  into  an  independ- 
ent Grand  Lodge,  to  the  present  day,  the  greatest  number  of  Lodges 
on  record  as  associating  to  form  a  new  Grand  Fjodge,  is  seventeen." 

It  seems  to  your  Committee  after  sxamining  these  several  reasons 
to  the  best  of  our  ability,  that  they  make  out  simply  cases  of  incon- 
venience, and  nothing  more  :  want  of  harmony  in  working  or  action 
is  an  inconvenience;  a  multiplicity  of  Jurisdictions  is  an  inconven- 
ience. It  would  be  better  doubtless  for  the  interests  of  the  Craft  in 
the  Provinces  were  their  Masonic  contributions  expended  where  they 
are  raised  :  although  it  woulil  seem  from  what  has  been  above  said, 
that  the  amount  drawn  from  the  Provinces  by  the  Grand  Lodges  of 
Great  Biitain  and  Ireland  would  not,  if  left  there,  add  very  materially 
tolheir  means  of  charity.  And,  since  the  dues  thus  paid  by  them  are 
certainly  much  below  those  usually  paid  in  this  country,  we  cannot  see 
any  well  grounded  cause  for  dissatisfaction  upon  this  point ;  much  less 
for  revolution.  It  is  an  inconvenience  also  that  so  many  Brethren 
come  from  Europe  requiiing  assistance  j  but  how  the  Grand  Lodges 


9 


of  Great  Britain  or  Ireland  can  be  blamed  for  this— what  control  they 
have  over  it— or  how  ihoy  can  be  chargod  willi  "  thut  doubly  taxing 
the  Craft  in  Canada,"  your  Conunilleo  caiuiot  perceive. 

The  inconvenience  arising  from  distance  was  doubtli'ss  in  former 
times  very  great ;  but  now,  when  modern  improvements  have  almost 
annihilated  distance— difiicultiee  from  this  sourco  are  certaiidy  not  in- 
superable. 

It  is  an  inconvenience  certainly— at  least  we  should  so  ctnsidor  it, 
to  bo  governed  by  a  body  4000  miles  away;  or  that  they  should  ap- 
point  our  principal  olHcers.  But  as  these  things  are  just  .\s  they 
always  were  among  our  Caiuidian  Brethren,  and,  moreover,  as  v.  large 
portion  of  them  would  probably  insist  that  tho  p:ngli8h  principle  of 
appointment  gives  on  the  whole,  better  officers  to  the  Ftaternity  than 
ours  of  election— your  Committee  can  see  no  cause  for  extreme  mea- 
sures hero.  And  as  the  Masters,  Past  Masters  and  Wardens  of  Lodges 
must  form  a  sutficiently  eliective  working  majority  in  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodges— embodying  as  they  certainly  must  the  aggregate  will 
of  the  Fraternity— we  cannot  see  how  these  Grand  I '  'cres  can  properly 
be  said  to  be  "  irresponsible  to,  and  independent  ol  the  Craft  in  Can- 
ada." 

Our  Brethren  otate  in  their  communication,  that  fortyone  Lodges 
concurred  in  the  formation  of  their  Grand  Lodge ;  but  this  does  not 
seem  exactly  borne  out  by  subsequent  information. 

It  is  now  said  that  the  actual  number  of  seceding  Lodges  is  twenty- 
six,  viz. :  eight  from  Canada  West— three  from  the  Prov.  Grand  Lodge 
of  Montreal  and  William  Henry,  and  fifteen  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ireland  ;  leaving  forty  five  in  the  Upper  Province,  who  still  remain  firm 
in  their  allegiance  to  the  Parent  Grand  Lodge. 

The  last  renark  in  the  communication  vi'hich  it  will  be  necessary 
for  your  Committee  to  notice,  is  ati  allusion  to  the  time  when,  as  it  says, 
"  the  four  Lodges  of  London  renounced  their  allegiance  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  York  and  formed  themselves  into  an  independent  Grand 
Lodge."  Now  it  is  certain  from  the  old  Constitutions  that  in  1717  the 
four  old  Lodges  of  London  with  some  old  Brethren  met  at  the  Apple- 
tree  Tavern,  in  Charles  street,  Covent  Garden,  and  having  put  into  ihe 
Chair  the  oldest  Master  Mason,  being  then  Master  of  a  Lodge,  "  they 
constituted  themselves  a  Grand  Lodge  fro  tempore  in  due  form.^' 

Bnt  here  is  no  allusion  to  any  renunciation  of  allegiance  to  tho  Grand 
Lodge  of  York,  or  any  mention  of  such  a  Grand  Lodge, — or  any  indi- 
cation that  the  authority  of  such  a  Grand  Lodge  ever  extended  over 
the  Lodges  in  question  in  any  way.     A  Grand  Lodge  of  York  there 


10 


certainly  was ;  but  no  precedent  it  seems  to  us  can  be  drawn  for  the 
forcible  establishment  of  a  new  body  from  any  imagined  rebellion 
against  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York,  by  the  Lodges  of  London.  The 
peculiar  jurisdiction  or  mode  of  operation  of  this  Grand  Lodge  your 
Committee  do  not  profess  to  discuss ;  but  we  do  not  know  that  there 
ever  was,  any  quarrel  between  it  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England. 

Your  Committee  understand  that  since  the  receipt  by  this  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  communication  in  question,  the  new  Grand  Lodge  of 
Canada  has  been  acknowledged  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland  "and 
also  by  two  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States. 

With  regard  to  the  first  named  Body,  we  feel  warranted  in  saying, 
that  whatever  may  have  been  her  motives— etill,  judged  by  the  princi- 
pies  generally  recognized  by  the  Masonic  World,  at  least  in  Great 
Britain  and  America,— she  has  made  a  mistake ;  and  therefore  her 
example  can  be  no  authority  for  us.  As  regards  the  Grand  Lo<lges  of 
our  country,  we  have  no  fears  that  when  all  the  bearings  of  this  most 
innportant  subject  shall  be  fully  understood— they  will  sanction  any 
thing  in  the  least  inconsistent  with  the  well  settled,  wise,  and  conserv- 
ative principles  of  the  Order. 

We  have  thus  Brethren,  gone  over  this  whole  matter  with  all  the 
lights  we  could  command,  and  with  all  the  care  we  could  bestow,  on  a 
subject  of  such  paramount  importance.  We  have  had  no  need  to 
guard  ourselves  against  prejudice,  or  excitement,  since  the  gravity  of 
the  crisis  has  secured  us  from  either.  We  have  not  sought  to  impugn 
men's  motives— for  we  have  no  doubt  the  Brethren  engaged  in  this 
unfortunate  movement  sincerely  believe  themselves  to  be  right.  And 
we  do  not  intend  to  uphold  the  present  organization  of  the  Craft  in 
Canada  as  the  best  possible.  On  the  contrary  we  believe  this  Grand 
Lodge  will  be  among  the  first  to  welcome  any  leg  a  i.  arrangements 
whereby  our  Canadian  Brethren  may  obtain  of  their  Parent  Grand 
Lodges  such  a  virtual  independence  as  shall  secure  to  them  Union, 
Harmony  and  Economy. 

With  these  views  we  cannot  recommend  to  this  Grand  Lodge  the 
recognition,  as  a  Grand  Lodge,  of  that  body  of  Brethren  callingAem- 
selves  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada"— 1st.  Because  being  witliin  the 
bouTids  of  the  British  Empire,— and  for  the  most  part  acknowledging 
the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,— they  have  violently'^ 
and  against  all  Masonic  rules,  rebelled  against  and  thrown  off"  that 
authority,  without  even  being  able  to  give  in  excuse  any  weighty  rea- 
son.    2d.    Because  your  Committee  believe  there  can  be  no^possible 


11 

valid  reason  for  euch  a  course  amongst  us.  The  right  of  revolutior^ 
when  oppressions  become  intolerable,  has  always  been  recognized 
by  the  Anglo  Saxon  race,  from  Runnymeade  to  the  present  day.  But 
in  Masonry  there  is  no  such  necessity  :  there  can  be  no  long  continued 
oppression;  for  within  certain  bounds  the  will  of  the  majority  is  abso- 
lute ;  and  theie  can  be  no  temptation  to  tyranny,  for  nothing  is  to  be 
gamed  b;'  it.  ■"  b 

We  have  then  every  possible  incentive  to  keep  within  our  own  laws, 
administered  by  ourselves;  since  whatever  differences  are  possible 
amongst  us,  they,  are  abundantly  sufficient  to  settle,  easily  and  arnica- 
bly.  ^ 

Again,  were  we  as  a  Fraternity  to  recognize  this  principle  of  revo- 
lution,  what  is  to  hinder  it  from  extending  everywhere.  A  few  am- 
bitious or  discontented  Brethren  might  break  up  any  Grand  Lodge, 
or  all  Grand  Lodges :  and  there  could  be  no  such  thing  as  an  irregu- 
lar Grand  Lodge;  since  any  reasonable  number  of  Lodges  would  on 
their  own  reasons,  good  or  bad,  have  the  right  to  form  one,  to  be  recog- 
nized of  course  by  all  the  rest,-and  so  on  till  the  very  name  of  Ma- 
sonic  authority  became  a  by-word  and  a  mockery. 

With  the  Grand  Lodges  whose  authority  has  been  set  at  naught  in 
this  matter,  we  have  long  held  Fraternal  Communication,  our  mem- 
bers have  interchanged  visits  for  many  years,  and  there  has  been  on 
all  sides,  we  trust,  a  true  Fraternal  sympathy. 

But  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  especially,  were  this  a  question  cf 
mere  courtesy,  and  not  of  law,  would  have  every  claim  upon  our  sym- 
pathy;  for  we  owe  her  all  respect  as  our  own  venerable  mother. 
Ana,  never  will  there  be  a  Grand  Lodge  while  time  shall  last,  whose 
regular,  dignified,  and  in  every  way  truly  Masonic  spirit,  can  cast 
upon  an  admiring  Fraternity  a  brighter,  purer  light,  than  hers. 

Under  these  circumstances  your  Committee  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  following  Resolutions,  viz  :— - 

In  Grand  Lodge,  Boston,  Sept.  10th,  1856. 
Whereas  a  Communication  has  been  received  by  this  Grand  Lodge 
from  a  number  of  Brethren  in  Canada,  legally  under  the  Jurisdiction, 
(for  the  most  part)  of  the  Giand  Lodge  of  England,  styling  themselves 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada,  and  asking  our  recognition  as  such— 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  feels  itself  com- 
pelled to  refuse  the  recognition  asked  for,  and  to  protest  against  the 


1 

"i 


i 


fPv;" 


m.. 


12 


oontinuance:of  any  such  Body,  it  being  in  our  view,  an  act  of  rebeUion 
against  a  sister  Grand  Lodge. 

Resolved,i;rha.tJhe  Lodges  and  individual  Brethren  under  this  Juris- 
diction  are  hereby  strictly  forbidden  to  hold  any  Masonic  Communica- 
tion with  said  illegal  Body,  or  with  any  Lodge  or  any  individual  hav- 
ing any^oonnexion  therewith. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

GEO.  G.  SMITH. 
SIMON  W.  ROBINSON, 
LUCIUS  R.  PAIGE. 
f  JOHN  T.  HEARD. 

JOHN  H.  SHEPPARD. 
W.  D.  C00LID6E. 


'■'■JJJi. 


'X 


stW'wi&toK.aC^.ilfet 


3t  of  rebellion 

ler  this  Juris- 
Communica- 
dividual  har- 


I. 

HNSON, 

GE. 

D. 

PARD. 


